Why Low-level Radiation Exposure Should Not Be Feared.
Journal
Health physics
ISSN: 1538-5159
Titre abrégé: Health Phys
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 2985093R
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 09 2023
01 09 2023
Historique:
medline:
24
7
2023
pubmed:
9
6
2023
entrez:
9
6
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The purpose of this paper is to address the public fear that is usually associated with low-level radiation exposure situations. Its ultimate objective is to provide persuasive assurances to informed but skeptical members of the public that exposure situations involving low-level radiation are not to be feared. Unfortunately, just acquiescing to an unsupportive public fear of low-level radiation is not without consequences. It is causing severe disruptions to the benefits that harnessed radiation can produce for the well-being of all humanity. In this pursuit, the paper provides the scientific and epistemological basis needed for regulatory reform by reviewing the history in quantifying, understanding, modeling, and controlling radiation exposure, including some of the evolving contributions of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, the International Commission on Radiological Protection, and the myriad of international and intergovernmental organizations establishing radiation safety standards. It also explores the various interpretations of the linear no-threshold model and the insights gained from radiation pathologists, radiation epidemiologists, radiation biologists, and radiation protectionists. Given that the linear no-threshold model is so deeply imbedded in current radiation exposure guidance, despite the lack of a solid scientific base on the actually proven radiation effects at low-doses, the paper suggests near-term ways to improve regulatory implementation and better serve the public by excluding and/or exempting trivial low-dose situations from the regulatory scope. Several examples are given where the unsubstantiated public fear of low-level radiation has resulted in crippling the beneficial effects that controlled radiation offers to a modern society.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37294947
doi: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001703
pii: 00004032-990000000-00090
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
207-227Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 Health Physics Society.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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